• September 15, 2011

EBay is looking to update the idea that one must be tied to his or her computer to access the site and enjoy the thrill of shopping.

According to a story in USA Today, EBay is launching its first big marketing campaign "in many years," with a focus on the mobile marketplace. The company puts the value of goods (as opposed to the revenue, one presumes) sold through the site via mobile devices at about $2 billion, and the money could double this year.

The new campaign launches with television commercials that launched last night, with topics that appeal to the top three mobile shoppers through the site: fashionistas, electronics junkies and auto parts and accessories fan. One commercial shows a man attending a company meeting without a tablet computer. After being teased by the attendees, the man orders a tablet from his phone in the conference room.

The campaign, which runs through the next 11 weeks, will also include print, online and outdoor ads, as well as cinema ads, some of which will serve as the reminder to get patrons to turn off their cell phones.